cremains

English

Etymology

Blend of cremated +‎ remains. Apparently originally a euphemism used by undertakers.[1]

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /kɹɪˈmeɪnz/
  • Rhymes: -eɪnz
  • Hyphenation: cre‧mains

Noun

cremains pl (plural only)

  1. Cremated remains of a deceased person.
    • 1992, Kathleen Sublette, Martin Flagg, Final Celebrations: A Guide for Personal and Family Funeral Planning, page 52:
      Some people prefer to keep the cremains in their homes in a special place.
    • 2009, Mugan Sozan Peter Schellin, Rogue Monk: A Memoir about Zen, Disability, and Work, page 93:
      Paul's cremains arrived by limo service less than an hour before the living room memorial.
    • 2010, Norman L. Cantor, After We Die: The Life and Times of the Human Cadaver, page 111:
      Because of these remaining bone fragments, the cremains must be pulverized to a grainy powder before any scattering of ashes.

References
  1. Time, volume 63, numbers 1–13, 1954, page 93: “The commission's research turned up such a sign of the times as a crematory that delicately refers to ashes as "cremains."”

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